(May 20, 2012 at 12:21 am)Polaris Wrote: Well it is true that not all who call themselves Christian will go to heaven, but where does it say in the Bible that non-Christians will go to heaven as well?
John 3:18 states "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."
I do believe that an eye for an eye is wrong. Ghandi famously said that mentality would leave the whole world blind. That is why I am going to push for the suspension of the death penalty in my state this year.
I'm a Catholic, so we believe that those who earnestly seek out God can still be saved through Jesus Christ even if they never become aware of him as their Savior. This is from our Sacred Tradition and Magisterium (and I can give you the documents there if you are interested, though they may not mean much to you), but I understand Protestants are a bit different on this subject. The most direct reference in Scripture I am aware of is that the Spirit desires that all become saved, and that God can lead those who earnestly seek him--God is not bound by the very Sacraments that he implemented.
Mary Immaculate, star of the morning
Chosen before the creation began
Chosen to bring for your bridal adorning
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
Sinners, we honor your sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for your pity we plead;
Grand us the shield of your sovereign protection,
Measure your aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which your footsteps have trod;
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying,
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
Chosen before the creation began
Chosen to bring for your bridal adorning
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
Sinners, we honor your sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for your pity we plead;
Grand us the shield of your sovereign protection,
Measure your aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which your footsteps have trod;
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying,
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
